Vengeance (Ash Betrayed)

Ash Ketchum was found dead.

It was a week after he returned home from Kalos, after losing his sixth league in the Finals Round. His body was found in Kanto's Viridian Forest.

Naturally, the world was shocked. This was the Trainer who had met Legendaries, defied death, and saved the world countless times! What could have done him in?

Further investigation showed that he had left a party at his home, filled with his closest friends from his travels, after he took a group prank the wrong way. They had followed to clear it up, but were unable to find him until the next morning. His body was damaged beyond recognition, every bone shattered, and all the Pokeballs on his person gone.

The case was closed as a tragic mugging and Pokemon theft, the culprits never caught. His Pikachu was gone too, so most chalked it up to Team Rocket and left it at that.

Ash was buried at the edge of the Oak Corral closest to his home, with many famous Trainers attending the funeral. Afterwards, his dearest friends took charge of his Pokemon, saying it was the least they could do since they couldn't save their Trainer.

Strangely, some of the Pokemon disagreed. Totodile nearly bit Misty's hand off, uncharacteristically snarling. Boldore and Noctowl put Brock in the Emergency Room with a nasty concussion, Bayleef almost strangled May with its vines, Infernape and Gible gave Dawn and Iris panic attacks, and Torterra knocked Cilan over with a well-timed Energy Ball. Charizard burned anyone who came near it to a crisp.

No one could understand what was with the normally-friendly Pokemon, but assumed they needed time to grieve for their fallen Trainer.

Max searched for Pikachu. Everyone hoped he'd find it. After all, they all knew how Max adored Ash and how lost and scared Pikachu must be. Ash would have wanted them both to be happy!

Two years passed, and Pikachu was never found. By then, it was time for the next Pokemon World Tournament.

The PWT was inter-regionally televised and only the best of the best were invited to compete, which included every Gym Leader, Elite Four, Champion, and Ash's friends. Everyone either personally knew each other or at least knew of each other. While they were greeting each other and swapping stories in the lobby, the doors slid open. The room went silent as all watched three unknown Trainers walk up to the registration desk.

The first was a boy with dark skin and dark-green hair, dressed as if he had just come from the beach in a black t-shirt and orange swim shorts. He was happily munching on some fried pastry, oblivious to the stares he was getting. The second was a blonde girl with a ponytail, dressed in a white sailor-like outfit with a miniskirt. Unlike her friend, she looked unnerved by the scrutiny and kept her eyes fixed on the desk, nervously clutching her backpack.

The Trainer between them attracted the most attention; he wore shorts and a green hoodie with the hood up, obscuring his face. The only thing anyone could use to identify him was the Eevee trotting by his feet, playfully batting his shoelaces.

"Welcome to the Pokemon World Tournament!" the receptionist greeted them. "How may I help you?"

"We'd- like to register- to compete, please," the first boy said between bites of his snack.

"I'm sorry, but you need an invitation in order to participate-"

She was cut off by each Trainer producing a letter, all clearly official invitations.

"...okay, I apologize," she said awkwardly. "I'll get you all registered right away!" She took a second look at the invitations and blinked. "Wow, you were specially invited here by Scott! How did you ever meet him?"